Great Smokey Mountains

Three families made up of six adults and five children ranging from six to 4 months and one small dog all headed to the Great Smokey Mountains to camp. That's how it went a few weekends ago. Gigi worked after school tutoring kids for extra money so she could take her grandkids (and their parents) on a train ride on the Great Smokey Mountain Railroad. We left out on a Friday morning and arrived at the campsite around midday. We set up our tents and then the playing began. The campsite had a pool which was a big hit. It was hot and humid and the pool was a great way to cool off. Lathen and Kieralee are sort of obsessed with swimming right now. Not to mention Heath LOVES the water. So we hung out at the campsite, played in the pool, the creek and then cooked dinner over the fire. The next day we loaded up and got on the train which took us up the mountains. At the top of the ride, before the train headed back down the mountain Ammon, Jess, Kevin and I got off the train to raft down! Pap and Gigi stay on the train with all the grandkids and they rode the train back. Rafting down the Nantahala was a lot of fun. We rafting down and then stopped and they fed us a very delicious lunch and then we rafted more.

When we got back to the campsite the kiddos were cooling off in the pool from what I am told was a hot train ride back. You see the Nantahala river stays around 50 degrees give or take year round. So we were not hot. Then it was more cooking, eating and playing. Sunday we packed up and headed back. Since we were in the area we couldn't help but stop by a town we use to live in. We were there in time to stop by the church as the members were getting out. So we got to see just a few people we use to enjoy living near. It was fun because I even got to see this woman and her kids.  The last time I saw her the twins were just 4-5 months old. Not only were the twins so much bigger (duh, it's been 5 years) but I got to meet the other additions to her crew. Which I must say are so much more adorable in person. I recommend her blog, it is a good read.

Finally we made it back home.

Heath sporting his do-rag.  A must to keep baby cool. 

Lathen and Kieralee in front of the tent we all slept in. And can I just tell you that sleeping on the ground over gravel isn't fun?!  Somehow everyone else had air beds.

The trout pond at our campground.  

Miss Kieralee

Lathen and Noah

Lathen and Kieralee

Lathen

Lathen and Kieralee watching their Dad fish.

Making popcorn.

Lathen showing his scary flashlight face.

Kieralee showing her scary flashlight face.

Thanks Gigi, for all the long hours you spent with ungrateful students.  Thanks Pap and Gigi for the exciting vacation.  Thanks to all involved for the fun memories.